New talk of high-speed rail brings to mind region’s heyday

First published: Thursday, June 17, 2010
ALBANY — We’ve been here before. More than a century ago, the Capital Region played a central role in developing an efficient passenger rail system.
Now, policymakers again are turning to rail to solve a litany of problems — from global warming and an unhealthy dependence on oil to dwindling air service, growing traffic congestion and concerns about sprawl — and as a way to stimulate the region’s economy.

Earlier this week, industry and elected officials gathered in Albany for the New York State Rail Summit, a daylong event that touted just how important high-speed passenger rail could be to New York.

It reminded some of that earlier era.

The rail industry’s impact on the Capital Region economy “was huge,” recalls Dick Barrett, a rail historian and resident of Colonie. “Prior to and just after World War II, railroads were the real employer in this area.”